FROM THE STATE CAPITOL IN
MADISON IT'S THE GOVERNOR'S
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
GOOD EVENING.
I'M DAVE IVERSON.
WELCOME TO PUBLIC TELEVISION'S
COVERAGE OF THE STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS.
WE'LL HEAR FROM THE GOVERNMENT
IN A MOMENT.
HERE BRIEFLY TO SET IS THE STAGE
BILL KRAUS, LONGTIME REPUBLICAN
STRATEGIST AND JOHN NICHOLS OF
"THE CAPITAL TIMES."
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WE'LL HEAR?
>> ME IS A LAME DUCK IN A SENSE
SO HE CAN BE VERY RADICAL AND
ADVENTURESOME.
BUT HE HAS NATIONAL AMBITIONS SO
HE CANNOT BE TOO MUCH SO.
>> HE HAS TO BALANCE A
REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT IS GETTING
MORE CONSERVATIVE WITH A STATE
THAT GAVE ABOUT 40% OF ITS VOTES
TO ANOTHER CANDITE.
IT'S A TOUGH CHALLENGE.
HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK TO
HIS PERSONAL POPULARITY AND SEE
IF HE CAN RALLY PEOPLE TO
PROGRAMS.
>> THE GOVERNOR HAS ENTERED THE
ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS AND LET'S GO
INTO THE ASSEMBLY AND LOOK AT
WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS ABOUT TO
BEGIN HIS 13TH STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS.
HERE HE IS, THE GOVERNOR OF THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN, GOVERNOR
TOMMY THOMPSON.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
SPEAKER JENSEN, PRESIDENT RISSER
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE,
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, THE
HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE
SUPREME COURT, TRIBAL LEADERS,
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET, AND
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN.
I THANK YOU, AND I THANK THE
PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN FOR GIVING
ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS
THIS AUGUST BODY OF LEGISLATORS
FOR THE 13TH TIME.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU.
THE PASSION, THE PASSION FOR
MAKING WISCONSIN BETTER THAT
FILLS THIS HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE
IS AS INVIGORATING TO ME TODAY
AS IT WAS WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN
LAWMAKER 32 YEARS AGO.
TO THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO THIS
CHAMBER, NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED
THE AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY THE
PEOPLE HAVE BESTOWED UPON YOU,
AND NEVER WAIVER FROM THE
CHALLENGE OF BUILDING WISCONSIN
STRONGER THAN ANY STATE IN
AMERICA.
TONIGHT, I HAVE THE DISTINCT
HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF
DELIVERING THE FINAL STATE OF
THE STATE ADDRESS OF THE 20TH
CENTURY AS WE BRING A GLORIOUS
CHAPTER IN WISCONSIN HISTORY TO
A CLOSE, EAGER TO START A NEW
ONE.
MY FRIENDS, IT IS WITH GREAT
PRIDE AND EVEN GREATER HOPE THAT
I SAY TO YOU TONIGHT THE STATE
OF THE STATE AT THE CENTURY'S
TURNING POINT IS A STATE OF
EXCELLENCE!
[APPLAUSE]
WE'RE TOPS IN AMERICA IN THE
PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WORKING,
THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN 30
YEARS, THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES
COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE, THE
NUMBER OF FAMILIES LEAVING
WELFARE FOR WORK, THE S.A.T. AND
THE A.C.T. SCORES OF OUR
STUDENTS, THE ENHANCEMENT OF OUR
ENVIRONMENT, THE LOW LEVEL OF
CRIME, THE STRENGTH OF OUR
COMMUNITIES, AND THE QUALITY OF
LIFE OF OUR PEOPLE.
WE PROUDLY MARK THE FINAL YEAR
OF THIS CENTURY AS CHAMPIONS,
SYMBOLIZED, IN PART, BY THE
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR
SPORTS TEAMS IN TOWNS LARGE AND
SMALL.
IN ELROY, WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN
OUR HOMETOWN HEROES.
THE ROYAL HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
TEAM WON ITS FIRST STATE
CHAMPIONSHIP THIS LAST SUMMER.
[APPLAUSE]
AND I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE
COACH AND TOM TO THE CHAMBER
TONIGHT.
THEY ARE UP HERE.
THEY GOT A TROPHY.
[APPLAUSE]
AND ELROY, IT'S A SMALL TOWN.
AND THE BOYS THAT WERE PLAYING
ON THE TEAM ARE PLAYING ON THE
BASKETBALL TEAM AND THEY ARE
PLAYING TONIGHT AND COULDN'T BE
HERE SO THEY SENT THE COACHES.
SO, WE WANT YOU TO REPEAT AGAIN
AND I WILL BE IN APPLETON THIS
SUMMER CHEERING YOU ON.
CONGRATULATIONS.
AND THE ENTIRE STATE, THE ENTIRE
STATE TAKES PRIDE IN CELEBRATING
WISCONSIN BADGERS.
[APPLAUSE]
I HAVE THE DISTINCT HONOR OF
PRESENTING TO THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN AND TO THIS
LEGISLATURE COACH BARRY ALVAREZ,
HIS TEAM, AND THE 1999 ROSE BOWL
TROPHY.
[APPLAUSE]
GOOD SEEING YOU.
HOW ARE YOU?
OK.
I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STEP
DOWN.
I'M GOING TO SHOW THEM WHAT A
GREAT TEAM YOU ARE.
YOU HAVE TO STAND DOWN AND WATCH
JUST A MINUTE.
THIS IS -- THIS IS THE YOUNG
GENTLEMAN HERE IS CHAD ALVAREZ,
SHE SUBSTITUTING FOR MIKE SAM
YOOLS TONIGHT.
AND THIS OF COURSE IS CECIL
MARTIN, WHO IS AN OUTSTANDING
JOB IN THE ROSE BOWL.
[APPLAUSE]
I'M GOING TO PASS OVER THIS GUY
FOR A MINUTE.
CHRIS McINTOSH.
A GREAT JOB.
AND DANELL THOMPSON.
HE'S A MADISON BOY AND HE SPELLS
HIS NAME RIGHT, TOO.
AND THEN THE HERO, THE MOST
VALUABLE PLAYER WAS RON DAYNE
WHO IS GOING TO BE THE
HEISMAN -- [APPLAUSE]
I GOT -- PLAYERS, I'VE GOT
SOMETHING TO SO YOU.
I WONDER IF YOU COULD STAND DOWN
HERE BECAUSE I THINK YOU'RE
GOING TO ENJOY THIS.
SO, IF YOU COULD JUST COME DOWN.
MAYOR BARRY I WONDER IF YOU
COULD STAY UP HERE.
IF YOU DON'T MIND.
ALL RIGHT.
BARRY, YOU KNOW WHAT AN AVID
BADGER FAN I AM.
AND I REMEMBER GOING INTO THE
LOCKERROOM AFTER THE GAME AND
YOU WERE AS EXCITED AS I WAS, I
DON'T KNOW WHO WAS MORE EXCITED
BUT IT WAS WONDERFUL.
WHEN CBS FOOTBALL ANALYST AND
FORMER NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
RUNNING BACK, A GUY BY THE NAME
OF CRAIG JAMES, SAID THAT THE
'98 BADGER TEAM WAS THE WORST
TEAM EVER TO REPRESENT THE BIG
TEN IN THE ROSE BOWL, I TOOK IT
VERY PERSONALLY.
AS DID ALL OF THE WISCONS
BADGER TEAM, THE COACHING STAFF
AND THE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS
OF BADGER FANS.
SUE, I DECIDED TO TAKE A MOMENT
TO LOOK AT THE RECORD.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS
ONE.
HERE IS RON DAYNE.
YOU CAN SHOW THE RECORD NOW.
1999 ROSE BOWL PERFORMANCE.
27 CARRIES, 246 YARDS, ONE YARD
SHORT OF THE ROSE BOWL RECORD.
FOUR TOUCHDOWNS.
AND BARRY SAID IF HE HAD KNOWN
IT WAS THAT CLOSE HE WOULD HAVE
BROKE IT.
FOUR TOUCHDOWNS, TYING THE ROSE
BOWL RECORD.
FINAL SCORE, WISCONSIN 38, UCLA
31.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW, OVER HERE, OVER HERE IS
CRAIG JAMES.
SUPERBOWL XX.
FIVE WHOLE CARRIES.
ONE YARD.
NO TOUCHDOWNS.
FINAL SCORE -- CHICAGO BEARS 46,
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW WE KNOW TWO THINGS.
BARRY, THE BADGERS ARE ONE OF
THE MOST EXCITING TEAMS TO EVER
PLAY IN THE ROSE BOWL.
AND CRAIG JAMES AND HIS NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS ARE WITHOUT A
DOUBT THE WORST TEAM TO EVER
PLAY IN THE SUPER BOWL.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, BARRY, AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 1998
BADGERS ON THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
YEAR IN UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
FOOTBALL HISTORY.
LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF
APPLAUSE FOR THE GREATJOB THAT
THEY HAVE DONE.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW THESE YOUNG MEN ARE INDEED
HEROES.
TO BE HELD UP AS AN EXAMPLE THAT
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE NO MATTER
WHAT THE ODDS.
IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, YOU
HAVE THE COURAGE TO TRY, AND THE
CONVICTION TO SUCCEED.
THEIR ENDEAVORS HARKEN BACK TO
ANOTHER ERA WHEN CAMP RANDALL
WAS THE TRAINING GROUND FOR THE
HEROES WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM.
THE YOUNG MAN EAGER TO ENTER
LIFE AND EARN HIS BADGE OF
COURAGE, DONNED A UNION UNIFORM
AND TOOK UP ARMS AGAINST WHAT HE
KNEW TO BE AN INJUSTICE.
IN JUST 16 YEARS OF AGE HE
QUICKLY FOUND HIMSELF IN A
POSITION OF COMMAND, A YOUNG
LIEUTENANT.
BUT THE CONFEDERATE ARMY DEEPLY
ENTRENCHED ON A HILLTOP, HE
CALLED ON HIS MEN TO CHARGE INTO
ONE OF THE BLOODIEST BATTLES OF
THE CIVIL WAR, THE BATTLE OF
MISSIONARY RIDGE.
HIS FLAG BEARER WAS A CASUALTY.
WHEN A SECOND MEMBER ATTEMPTED
TO RAISE THE WISCONSIN COLORS
THAT SOLDIER, TOO, FELL IN THE
NAME OF FREEDOM.
UNDER HEAVY FIRE THE YOUNG
LIEUTENANT AND FUTURE MEDAL OF
HONOR RECIPIENT, YOUNG ARTHUR
MACARTHUR OF MILWAUKEE, HE
REACHED DOWN AND HE RAISED OUR
COLORS HIMSELF.
OUTNUMBERED, BLOODIED AND
WOUNDED, HE TURNED TO HIS TROOPS
AND CRIED -- ON WISCONSIN!
ON WISCONSIN INDEED.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE STAND
AT THE THRESHOLD OF ONE OF
HISTORY'S GREAT MOMENTS.
AT NO TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY DOES
THE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY HOLD
SUCH PROMISE AND POSSIBILITY.
NO PEOPLE ARE MORE POISED TO
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ENDLESS
OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD
THAN THE PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT
STATE.
WE WORKED DILIGENTLY TOGETHER TO
PREPARE OUR STATE FOR THIS DAY,
WHEN WE WOULD GO FORTH INTO A
NEW MILLENNIUM.
OVER THE LAST DECADE WE SHUCKED
THE STATUS QUO, TORE DOWN THE
OLD AND THE OUTDATED, WE HAVE
BOLD AND WE EMBRACED
THE DARING.
NOW, OUR CHALLENGE IS TO GO
FORWARD, TAKE THE WORK OF THE
PAST DECADE, PLY IT INTO A NEW
ERA, AND STAKE OUR CLAIM TO THE
UNDISCOVERED TREASURES OF THE
FRONTIERS OF POSSIBILITY.
TONIGHT, WE BEGIN OUR JOURNEY
WITH AMBITIOUS INITIATIVES IN
EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, CHILD
CARE, W-2 AND TRANSPORTATION,
FOCUSING LARGELY ON OUR CHILDREN
THE FIRST PIONEERS OF A NEW
MILLENNIUM.
THEN IN THREE WEEKS I WILL
PRESENT TO YOU THE REMAINDER OF
THE FIRST BIENNIAL BUDGET OF THE
NEXT CENTURY.
IT WILL FEATURE A VISIONARY
PACKAGE FOR PROTECTING OUR
ENVIRONMENT, ILUDING A NEW
STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, EXCITING
NEW PROGRAMS FOR AGRICULTURE A
RURAL WISCONSIN, AN ANTI-CRIME
STRATEGY, AND A MAJOR INVESTMENT
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN.
WE WILL DELIVER ALL THIS AND
MORE WHILE PROVIDING A MAJOR TAX
CUT AND TAX REFORM.
[APPLAUSE]
OUR NAVIGATIONAL TOOL FOR THIS
NEW FRONTIER WILL BE TECHNOLOGY.
LET ME TAKE A MOMENT, IF I MAY,
TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
TECHNOLOGY.
HOW OUR COURAGE AND FORESIGHT TO
BE THE PIONEERS IN THIS ARENA IS
MAKING ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
WHEN THE SCHOOL YARD FROM THE
FARM FIELD TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING
US FORWARD.
FOR EXAMPLE, OUR HOMES AND OUR
CLASSROOMS -- ARE NOW OUR
CLASSROOMS.
WE CAN TAKE COURSES FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OR THE
WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
SYSTEM OVER OUR COMPUTERS DURING
LUNCH OR IN THE EVENING,
ENABLING US TO BETTER OUR LIVES
OR FURTHER OUR CAREERS AT OUR
CONVENIENCE.
FARMERS, FARMERS NOW USE
SATELLITE CHNOLOGY TO APPLY
PESTICIDES OR TO DETERMINE HOW
BEST TO PLANT THEIR CROPS, WHICH
IS A FAR CRY FROM WHEN HIGH
TECHNOLOGY FOR FARMERS WAS A
HORSE AND A PLOW.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS
CENTURY.
FOR OUR SESQUICENTENNIAL THIS
PAST SUMMER THE HUGHES FAMILY
USED GUIDANCE FROM A SATELLITE
TO CARVE IN THEIR CORN FIELDS A
GIANT MAZE IN THE SHAPE OF OUR
GREAT STATE.
I WANT TO THANK RANDY AND ANDREA
FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE OUR
BIRTHDAY IN SUCH A UNIQUE WAY
AND TO ENTERTAIN SO MANY
VISITORS.
THEY ARE UP HERE AND I THANK
THEM SO VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
TECHNOLOGY IS IN ITSELF A
RAPID-FIRE BUSINESS WITH ENDLESS
POTENTIAL IN CREATING NEW
HIGH-PAYING JOBS FOR OUR PEOPLE.
FROM THE MANUFACTURING OF
COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN THE CHIPPEWA
VALLEY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF
BIOTECHNOLOGIES ALL OVER DANE
COUNTY.
AND ESPECIALLY ON THE UNIVERSITY
CAMPUS.
AND WHEN I UNVEIL THE UNIVERSITY
OF WISCONSIN BUDGET NEXT MONTH
IT WILL INCLUDE A SUBSTANTIAL
INVESTMENT IN FURTHERING
BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND
SETTING UP AN INCUBATOR FOR
TRANSFERRING THAT TECHNOLOGY TO
THE PRIVATE SECTOR, CREATING
MORE HIGH-TECH JOBS FOR OUR
PEOPLE AND PROVIDING GREATER
ENHANCEMENTS OF OUR LIVES.
THINK ABOUT IT.
TECHNOLOGY EVEN ALLOWS US TO GO
BACK IN TIME AND TO CORRECT OUR
OWN HUMAN ERRORS.
[APPLAUSE]
YOU BET, IT WAS A FUMBLE.
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
THROUGHOUT MY SPEECH TONIGHT YOU
WILL SEE MORE EXAMPLES OF HOW
THESE ADVANCES ARE CHANGING OUR
LIVES.
TECHNOLOGY WILL INDEED LIGHT OUR
WAY INTO THE THIRD MILLENNIUM.
SO HERE WE GO.
ON WISCONSIN TO THE 21st
CENTURY.
OUR FIRST STOP IS THE CLASSROOM.
NO GROUP IS MORE EAGER AND
BRIGHT-EYED ABOUT THE FUTURE
THAN OUR CHILDREN.
AND THEY SHOULD BE.
THIS GENERATION OF CHILDREN WILL
BE BETTER EDUCATED AND PREPARED
FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD MORE SO THAN
ANY OTHER CLASS BEFORE IT.
WISCONSIN IS PIONEERING NEW WAYS
OF EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN FOR A
GLOBAL ERA.
OUR CHARTER SCHOOL AND SCHOOL
CHOICE PROGRAMS ARE BRINGING
PARENTS AND EDUCATORS TOGETHER,
USIN INNOVATION TO PREPARE OUR
CHILDREN FOR THE FUTURE.
WORLD CLASS ACADEMIC STANDARDS,
AND A HIGH-STAKES GRADUATION
TEST ARE SETTING A HIGH BAR OF
ACHIEVEMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND
MAKING SURE THEY CROSS IT.
LOWER CLASS SIZES ARE MAKING
SURE OUR AT-RISK, LOW-INCOME
STUDENTS GET THE CLOSE ATTENTION
THAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.
AND OUR HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN
PUBLIC EDUCATION ARE MAKING IT
POSSIBLE FOR COMMUNITIES TO
BUILD NEW SCHOOLS AND EQUIP THEM
WITH THE TECHNOLOGY OF TOMORROW.
IN MY BUDGET NEXT MONTH I WILL
RECOMMEND THAT WE REQUIRE ALL
STUDENTS TO PASS A GRADUATION
TEST, INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY BY
REQUIRING D.P.I. TO POST ON ITS
WEB SITE A REPORT CARD ON EACH
AND EVERY SCHOOL, AND INVEST
NEARLY --
[APPLAUSE]
-- AND INVEST NEARLY $50
MILLION TO LOWER CLASS SIZES.
[APPLAUSE]
AND MY BUDGET WILL ONCE AGAIN
FULLY DELIVER ON OUR COMMITMENT
TO FUND 2/3 OF LOCAL SCHOOLS.
THIS ALSO INCLUDES 2/3 OF
CONSTRUCTION, CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS PASSED BY REFERENDUM.
HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES --
[APPLAUSE]
HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES BUILD
NECESSARY SCHOOLS IS JUST ABOUT
THE SMARTEST INVESTMENT THE
STATE CAN MAKE.
I WILL NOT BACK AWAY FROM THIS
PARTNERSHIP AND I NO YOU WON'T
AS WELL.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW, ONE MIGHT ASK, HOW ARE
THESE REFORMS AN INVESTMENTS
PAYING OFF?
LET ME SHOW YOU TWO EXAMPLES,
ONE IN RURAL WISCONSIN, AND ONE
IN URBAN WISCONSIN.
THIS SUMMER WHEN WE TOOK STATE
GOVERNMENT ON THE ROAD WE
VISITED MOSINEE, A RULE
COMMUNITY OF ABOUT 4,000 PEOPLE
THAT EDUCATES ALL OF ITS
STUDENTS IN GRAES 4 THROUGH 12
IN ONE LARGE SCHOOL BUILDING.
YET, WITH THE HELP OF TECHNOLOGY
MOSINEE IS GIVING ITS STUDENTS
THE SAME QUALITY EDUCATION AS
SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FAR
GREATER RESOURCES.
IN FACT, MOSINEE'S STATE OF THE
ART DISTANCE LEARNING FACILITY
IS TRANSFORMING ITS SCHOOL INTO
A COMMUNITY CENTER.
STUDENTS LEARN EVERYTHING FROM
ROBOTICS TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE
THERE DURING THE DAY.
LOCAL BUSINESSES USE THE
FACILITY TO TRAIN EMPLOYEES AT
NIGHT.
AND DOCTORS FROM THE NEARBY
MARSHFIELD CLINIC TAKE ADVANCED
COURSES WHEN CONVENIENT.
THE COMMUNITY EVEN SHARES THE
SCHOOL'S NEW SWIMMING POOL AND
SENIORS WALK THE HALLWAYS DURING
THE DAY TO STAY FIT AND TRIM.
EVERYONE USES THIS BUILDING.
THIS IS WHAT THE SCHOOL HOU OF
TOMORROW WILL LOOK LIKE IN
WISCONSIN, AND A RURAL COMMUNITY
WITH LIMITED RESOURCES IS
PIONEERING THE WAY.
SO LET'S VISIT SOMEOF MY
FRIENDS FROM MOSINEE, WHO ARE
LEARNING FRENCH FROM A TEACHER
IN WEST SALEM.
BONJOUR MOSINEE.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE JIM
DEBROUX, THE PRINCIPAL.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW WELL THE
MOSINEE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS DOING
WITH DISTANCE LEARNING?
>> YES, GOVERNOR.
A YEAR OR SO AGO WE HAD OUR
FRENCH TEACHER RETIRE.
THIS LEFT US IN KIND OF A SPOT.
WE HAD A LIMITED NUMBER OF
STUDENTS AND THEREFORE A LIMITED
NUMBER OF RESOURCES.
BUT THE STATE TEACH PROGRAM
FUNDED APPROXIMATELY $225,000 TO
OUR DISTRICT IN ORDER TO CREATE
THIS FACILITY THAT WE HAVE HERE
TIS EVENING.
THROUGH THE FIBER OPTICS
TECHNOLOGY WE'RE HOOKED TO A
NETWORK THAT ALLOW US TO GO
STEWIDE AND ACTUALLY
NATIONWIDE.
FROM THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE
A TEACHER, A VERY GIFTED TEACHER
JANICE NASH, WITH A VERY STRONG
FRENCH BACKGROUND, FROM
LA CROSSE.
JANICE NOW TRANSMITS HER SIGNAL
TO US HERE AND TEACHES OUR KIDS
IN AN INTERACTIVE VIDEWAY.
IT HAS BEEN A GREAT ADDITION TO
OUR SCHOOL.
>> JANICE?
JANICE NASH, COULD YOU PLEASE
TELL US HOW WELL THE TECHNOLOGY,
HOW WELL YOUR CLASS IS DOING.
>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.
YES.
I FOUND IT A WONDERFUL
OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO TEACH
ENCH FROM THE TOWN INWHICH I
LIVE AND NOT HAVE TO MOVE OR GO
TO MOSINEE.
HAVE I BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH MY
STUDENTS.
THEY HAVE VERY MUCH PROGRESSED
AND I HAVE BEEN AMAZED AT HOW
CLOSE WE CAN FEEL AND HOW WELL
WE CAN KNOW ONE ANOTHER THOUGH
WE'RE AT A DISTANCE.
IT HAS BEEN THE FIRST EXPERIENCE
FOR ME BUT IT HAS BEEN A VERY
POSITIVE ONE.
I THINK IT'S A WAY TO MAKE A
MATCH BETWEEN EXPERTISE SUCH AS
MINE WITH HAVING LIVED THREE
YEARS IN FRANCE AND THEIR NEED
TO LEARN FRENCH.
>> THANK YOU.
YOU'RE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD
INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS FOR THE
LEGISLATURE AND FOR ME.
>> YES.
THIS EVENING WITH US WE HAVE
PETER TYSE, AND KELLY KETLER,
AND --
>> PETER, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO
TAKE THIS LEARNING CLASS AND HOW
WELL ARE YOU DOING?
>> I TOOK THE LENING CLASS TO
FULFILL THE COLLEGE NEEDS FOR A
FOREIGN LANGUAGE AS WELL AS I'M
IN A YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM WHERE I CAN TAKE COLLEGE
CLASSES DURING REGULAR SCHOOL
HOURS AND GET THE COLLEGE
CREDITS I NEED TO GO ON.
>> THANK YOU.
>> TO MY COLLEGE AREA.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
KELLY, HOW IS THIS FRENCH CLASS
HELPING YOU AND WHAT ARE YOUR
FUTURE PLANS?
>> THIS CLASS HAS HELPED ME
FULFILL A COLLEGE REQUIREMENT,
AND IT ALSO PROBABLY WILL HELP
ME TAKE FRENCH 3 HERE THROUGH
THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY.
AND IT WILL ALSO HELP ME WHEN I
GET MY JOB AND IT WILL HELP ME
BE A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE I
PLAN TO GO ON TO MEDICAL SCHOOL.
>> GOOD FOR YOU.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE GIRLS
BASKETBALL TEAM IS UNDEFEATED
AND RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE
STATE.
CAN EITHER ONE OF YOSAY STATE
CHAMPIONSHIP IN FRENCH?
>> I CAN.
IT WOULD BE [SPEAKING IN
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
[APPLAUSE]
THANKS, JIM.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MOSINEE
SHOWCASES JUST ONE OF THE
SPECTACULAR BENEFITS THAT WE ARE
REAPING FROM THE GROUNDBREAKING
TEACH WISCONSIN INITIATIVE.
IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS WE HAVE
GONE FROM 25% OF OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICTS BEING WIRED TO 75%.
AND WE WILL NOT BE SATISFIED
UNTIL WE REACH 100% IN WISCONSIN
SO THIS BUDGET WILL INCLUDE
ANOTHER $175 MILLION FOR TEACH
WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
IMAGINE JUST FOR A MOMENT THE
IMMENSE POSSIBILITIES IF ALL
WISCONSIN STUDENTS COULD USE
THIS TECHNOLOGY TO LEARN FRENCH
OR GERMAN OR JAPANESE.
AND NOT TOO FAR IN THE FUTURE I
CAN SEE A CLASS OF STUDENTS IN
MOSINEE OR ELROY HELPING A CLASS
OF STUDENTS IN PARIS LEARN
ENGLISH, WHILE THEY IN TURN HELP
MOSINEE'S AND ELROY'S CHILDREN
LEARN FRENCH.
NOW, THAT IS A MEANINGFUL
CULTURAL EXCHANGE.
[APPLAUSE]
TO THAT END I AM PROPOSING A
$350,000 GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP
EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT MAKE
FOREIGN LANGUAGES AVAILABLE TO
THEIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
VIA THE TEACH NETWORK.
[APPLAUSE]
WE MUST, WE MUST EXPOSE OUR
CHILDREN TO FOREIGN LANGUAGES AT
THE EARLIEST YEARS IF WE REALLY
WANT TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE
GLOBAL AGE.
LET'S MAKE THE WORLD AN OPEN
BOOK TO OUR CHILDREN.
OUR EDUCATION REFORMS AND
INVESTMENTS ARE MAKING A
PROFOUND CHANGE IN URBAN
EDUCATION AS WELL.
WHEN WE STARTED THE NATION'S
FIRST CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
THAT INCLUDED A UNIVERSITY, A
TECHNICAL COLLEGE, AND CITY
GOVERNMENT, A LOT OF PEOPLE
THOUGHT WE WERE A LITTLE
FOOLISH.
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IT
WOULD SPAWN AMERICA'S VERY FIRST
K-12 SPECIALTY SCHOOL IN
SCIENCE?
OR THAT THIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
WOULD BE IN THE HEART OF
MILWAUKEE?
AND SURELY, SURELY MANY NEVER
THOUGHT OUR LANDMARK SCHOOL
CHOICE PROGRAM WOULD SEE THE
LIGHT OF DAY.
BUT FINALLY, LOW-INCOME PARENTS
IN MILWAUKEE CAN FREELY SEND
THEIR CHILDREN TO THE BEST
SCHOOL POSSIBLE NO MATTER WHAT
ITS AFFILIATION.
THE AGGRESSIVE COMPETITION
GENERATED BY THESE INNOVIONS
IS STARTING TO PRODUCE THE
CHANGE IN MILWAUKEE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS THAT ALL OF US HOPED
THAT IT WOULD.
LAST YEAR I STOOD HERE AND I
CHALLENGED MILWAUKEE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS TO STAND AND DELIVER OR
STEP ASIDE.
WELL, MPS CERTAINLY STOOD UP.
AND THEY ARE FINALLY TAKING
STEPS TO DELIVER FOR THE
CHILDREN OF MILWAUKEE.
I THANK MPS AND I PERSONALLY
CONGRATULATE THEM.
[APPLAUSE]
AS THE RESULT -- AS A RESULT OF
OUR CHALLENGE, MPS IS NOW
TALKING ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE
DROPOUT RATES, ATTENDANCE RATES,
GRADUATION RATES AND READING
SCORES.
THEY ARE WORKING MORE WITH
PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY ON WAYS
TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER RATHER
THAN SIMPLY DIGGING IN THEIR
HEELS AND DEFENDING THE STATUS
QUO.
IN FACT, MPS IS EVEN OFFERING A
GUARANTEE THAT STUDENTS WILL BE
ABLE TO READ AT THE APPROPRIATE
LEVEL FOR THEIR GRADE OR THEY
WILL PAY FOR A TUTOR.
NOW, THAT'S REAL PROGRESS.
[APPLAUSE]
THERE IS STILL MUCH, MUCH WORK
TO DO I MILWAUKEE.
AND I WILL REMAIN AN EVERY
VIGILANT AND WILLING PARTNER,
READY TO STEP UP WITH NEW
INITIATIVES TO HELP THESE
SCHOOLS OR USE THE BULLY PULPIT.
IN FACT MY BUDGET WILL PROPOSE
GIVING LOCAL SCHOOLS -- SCHOOL
BOARDS, THE POW TO CLOSE
FAILING SCHOOLS.
WORKING TOGETHER, MILWAUKEE
ON OF WON'T LOSE ANOTHER GENERA
CHILDREN TO POOR SCHOOLS.
MILWAUKEE AND MOSINEE, TWO
COMMUNITIES THAT SYMBOLIZE THE
HOPE AND THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
IN WISCONSIN.
AND TWO COMMUNITIES THAT
UNDERSCORE OUR NEED TO CONTINUE
PURSUING CUTTING EDGE WAYS TO
MAKE OUR SCHOOLS EVEN BETTER.
OUR SCHOOLS ARE INDEED GREAT,
BUT THEIR POTENTIAL IS SO MUCH
GREATER.
THEREFORE, WE BRING TO YOU
TONIGHT ANOTHER VERY AMBITIOUS
AGENDA TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATION
IN WISCONSIN.
WE START WITH OUR VERY YOUNGEST,
MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN ARE
READY TO LEARN WHEN THEY GET TO
SCHOOL.
RECENT BRAIN RESEARCH CONFIRMS
THAT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD YEARS,
FROM BIRTH TO AGE 4, ARE CRUCIAL
TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
PROPER STIMULATION AND NUTRITION
IN THE EARLIEST YEARS OF LIFE
MAKE A PROFOUND AND LASTING
IMPACT ON THE GROWTH OF OUR
CHILDREN.
THEREFORE, WE MUST HELP OUR MOST
AT-RISK CHILDREN GET THE HELP
THEY NEED FROM BIRTH SO THEY ARE
ABLE TO ENTER SCHOOL WITH THE
CAPACITY TO SUCCEED.
OUR NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD
EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE CALLS FOR
BUILDING AT LEAST FIVE NEW
HIGH-TECH EARLY LEARNING CENTERS
FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN 0-4 AT
LEAST TWO OF WHICH WILL BE
LOCATED IN MILWAUKEE.
THESE CENTERS WOULD EXPOSE OUR
YOUNGEST CHILDREN TO FOREIGN
LANGUAGES, MUSIC, READING,
COMPUTERS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY,
STIMULATING DEVELOPMENT AND
LEARNING.
CONSIDER THE CENTERS, INCUBATORS
OF THE IMAGINATION, NURTURING
BETTER BADGER BABIES.
[APPLAUSE]
LET US ALSO USE $20 MILLION TO
EXPAND OUR HALFDAY HEAD START
PROGRAM TO FULL DAY AND EXTEND
IT TO CHILDREN 0-4.
[APPLAUSE]
THE EARLIER WE REACH OUR MOST
AT-RISK CHILDREN, THE BETTER ALL
OF SOCIETY WILL BE IN THE LONG
RUN.
WE'LL HAVE BETTER STUDENTS AND
WORKERS AND FER DROPOUTS AND
PRISONERS.
NOT LY DO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE
THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE READY FOR
TH CLASSROOM, WE MUSTAKE SURE
THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE AS WELL.
THEREFORE, WORKING WITH
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION JOHN BENSON, WHO I'M
HAPPY TO SEE IS HERE, I AM
PROPOSING A NEW GRADUATED
LICENSING SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS.
THE INITIAL TEACHING LICENSE
WOULD REQUIRE ALL ASPIRING
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS IN
WISCONSIN TO TAKE A NATIONAL
COMPETENCY EXAM IN THE SUBJECT
THAT THEY WILL TEACH.
IF WE -- IF A PROSPECTIVE
TEACHER DOES NOT PASSTHE TEST,
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
SCHOOL THEY ATTEND MUST PROVIDE
REMEDIAL ASSISTANCE.
THEY MUST ALSO DEMONSTRATE
COMPETENCY IN WISCONSIN'S MODEL
ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES.
TEACHERS WITH AN INITIAL LICENSE
CAN EARN A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
AFTER THREE SUCCESSFUL YEARS IN
THE CLASSROOM, FULFILLING A
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN,
AND UNDERGOING A PEER REVIEW.
MY BUDGET WILL INCLUDE $2
MILLION TO DOUBLE THE PEER
REVIEW AND MENTORING PROGRAM FOR
TEACHERS AND $1.5 MILLION FOR
THE WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF STAFF
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
AND AT THE TOP OF THE LICENSING
LADDER IS THE MASTER LICENSE FOR
TEACHERS WHO EARN NATIONAL BOARD
OF TEACHING STANDARDS
CERTIFICATION.
AND TO HELP TEACHERS IN THIS
ENDEAVOR THE STATE SHOULD
CONTINUE TO PAY $2,000 TOWARD
THE COST OF THE TEST, AND A
$2500 BONUS FOR EVERY YEAR A
TEACHER IS NATIONALLY CERTIFIED.
[APPLAUSE]
THIS NEW LICENSING SYSTEM WILL
SET A HIGH BAR FOR NEW TEACHERS
AND WILL REWARD THOSE WHO
FURTHER STRENGTHEN THEIR SKILLS.
BY DOING SO WE MAKE SURE THE
BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST ARE
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN.
NEXT, WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT
THOSE STUDENTS SITTING IN OUR
CLASSROOM ARE ENGAGED, MAKING
SCHOOL RELEVANT TO THEIR GOALS
IN LIFE.
ONE WAY WE DO THIS IS THROUGH A
MORE SEAMLESS SYSTEM OF SCHOOLS
THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE
CAREER OF THEIR CHOICE SUCH AS
THE 2+2+2 PROGRAM IN WAUKESHA
COUNTY.
HERE IS HOW IT WORKS.
A JUNIOR AT SUSSEX HAMILTON HIGH
SCHOOL OR ANY OTHER HIGH SCHOOL
IN WAUKESHA COUNTY ENROLLS IN A
TWO-YEAR YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM IN PRINTING, ATTENDING
SCHOOL IN THE MORNING AND
WORKING AT A PRINTER SUCH AS
QUAD GRAPHICS IN THE AFTERNOON.
AFTER GRADUATION, THE STUDENT
SPENDS TWO YEARS AT WAUKESHA
COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE EARNING
AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN PRINTING,
ALSO WORKING AT QUAD GRAPHICS TO
GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND
EARN MONEY.
THEN THE STUDENT MOVES SWIFTLY
OR SMOOTHLY ON TO THE U.W.-STOUT
FOR TWO YEARS, EARNING A
BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN
COMMUNICATION ARTS WHILE STILL
PLYING THEIR TRADE AT THE
COMPANY.
AND ALL CREDITS ARE TRANSFERABLE
FROM ONE DEGREE TO THE NEXT.
IT'S LITERALLY SEAMLESS.
IN FACT, IT'S THE FIRST OF ITS
TYPE IN THE COUNTRY.
AND IN FACT, ALSO, STOUT PLANS
TO OPEN A FACILITY AT WAUKESHA
COUNTY ON THE TECHNICAL CAMPUS
EXPRESSLY FOR THIS PROGRAM.
IN THE END, TWO YEARS IN HIGH
SCHOOL, PLUS TWO YEARS IN
TECHNICAL COLLEGE, PLUS TWO
YEARS IN A UNIVERSI@Y EQUALS A
LIFETIME OF SUCCESS IN A
HIGH-DEMAND PRINTING CAREER ALL
WITHOUT LEAVING THEIR HOMETOWN
OR THEIR JOB AT QUAD GRAPHICS.
[APPLAUSE]
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE
SSEX HAMILTON ADMINISTRATOR,
THE QUARTERBACK OF THIS,
KATHLEEN COOK, THE WAUKESHA TECH
PRESIDENT DICK ANDERSON AND TWO
STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM AND
CHARLES SORENSON FROM STOUT WHO
COULDN'T BE HERE BECAUSE OF THE
WEATHER BUT WANTED TO BE HERE.
WOULD YOU GIVE THOSE WONDERFUL
PEOPLE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
TO HELP THIS PROGRAM ALONG MY
BUDGET WILL INCLUDE $500,000 FOR
WAUKESHA TECH TO PURCHASE AND
INSTALL NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THIS
PRINTING PROGRAM.
AND WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN
$750,000 FOR U.W.-STOUT
INCLUDING $50,000 FOR
COLLABORATION EFFORTS ON 2+2+2.
THIS IS WHAT OUR EDUCATION
SYSTEM SHOULD LOOK LIKE IN THE
21st CENTURY.
LET'S TEAR DOWN THOSE WALLS THAT
SEPARATE OUR SCHOOLS AND
UNIVERSITIES.
LET'S GIVE STUDENTS THE
EDUCATION THEY NEED FOR THE JOBS
OF TOMORROW.
WE STARTED EARLIER TALKING ABOUT
EDUCATION TONIGHT WITH OUR
NEWBORNS, SO LET'S END WITH OUR
ADULTS.
JOIN ME IN HELPING LOW INCOME
ADULTS LEARN TO READ THROUGH A
NEW $4 MILLION LITERACY
INITIATIVE TARGETED AT
LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.
[APPLAUSE]
IN AMERICA'S EDUCATION STATE,
EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ.
SO LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN.
FROM BABIES TO BOOMERS, WE ARE
ONCE AGAIN MAKING EDUCATION THE
NUER ONE PRIORITY IN
WISCONSIN.
THERE'S NO SMARTER WAY TO
PREPARE OUR PEOPLE FOR THE
FRONTIERS OF POSSIBILITY.
SO, ON WISCONSIN, WITH WORLD
CLASS SCHOOLS FOR THE PIONEERS
OF A NEW CENTURY.
NOW WE MUST LIFT OUR PEOPLE NOT
ONLY WITH EDUCATION BUT WITH
MEANINGFUL WORK.
WISCONSIN, THE -- AS ALL OF US
KNOW, IS THE GREAT REFORMER
IT CHANGED THE FACE OF AMERICA
WITH ITS W-2 PROGRAM.
TODAY, JUST 9200 INDIVIDUALS
REMAIN ON CASH W-2.
TOMORROW, 9200 MORE SUCCESS
STORIES.
WE TAKE GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT FROM
OUR RECENT STUDY SHOWING THAT
NEARLY 85% OF FORMER W-2
RECIPIENTS ARE WORKING OR HAVE
WORKED SINCE LEAVING THE
PROGRAM.
TO THOSE WHO AREN'T WORKING,
COME BACK AND WE'LL HELP YOU
FIND A JOB.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, W-2 WORKS.
TAKE IT FROM MICHELLE CRAWFORD,
ONE OF WISCONSIN'S BOLD PIONEERS
ON THE PATH FROM WELFARE TO
WORK.
THANKS TO W-2, MICHELLE IS OFF
WELFARE AFTER 10 YEARS, AND
WORKING AS A MACHINE OPERATOR AT
ENGINEERED PLASTICS IN MENOMONEE
FALLS.
SHE'S PROUDLY -- SHE'S PROUDLY
PROVIDING FOR HER FAMILY LIKE
NEVER BEFORE.
MICHELLE WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU
ABOUT W-2 AND HER OWN -- IN HER
OWN WORDS.
MICHELLE, COME ON.
[APPLAUSE]
MY NAME IS MISH SHAEL CAWFORD
AND I AM LIVING PROOF THAT W-2
MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN
PEOPLE'S LIVES.
TODAY I AM WORKING AS A MACHINE
OPERATOR, PROVIDING FOR MY
FAMILY, I BUY THINGS THAT I
COULD NEVER AFFORD.
IT WASN'T ALWAYS THAT WAY.
I THOUGHT I WOULD ALWAYS BE ON
WELFARE.
I WAS ALWAYS DOWN ON MYSELF
THINKING I WOULD NEVER BE
ANYBODY.
WHEN MY WELFARE CASEWORKER ASKED
ME IF I KNEW ABOUT W-2 I DIDN'T
WANT TO JOIN IT BECAUSE I HAD
CHILDREN AT HOME TO TAKE CARE
OF.
I WAS SCARED AND NERVOUS.
BUT I KNEW I HAD TO TRY THIS.
AT FIRST, THEY HAD ME DOING SOME
HOUSEKEEPING AND SOME CLEANING.
I THOUGHT TO MYSELF -- I CAN DO
THIS AT HOME.
WHAT AM I DOING HERE?
[LAUGHTER]
BUT I STARTED VOLUNTEERING TO DO
RE WHEN OTHERS DIDN'T SHOW UP
FOR WORK.
I WONDERED WHAT WAS BACK IN THE
FACTORY.
I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A
MACHINIST.
MY FATHER WAS ONE.
SO WHEN MY TRAINEE DAVE ASKED IF
I WOULD LIKE TO TRY IT, I TOOK A
CHANCE.
IT WAS HARD.
I LEARNED ABOUT THE MACHINES AND
USING A C.CD-ROM I HAD TO DO MY
HOMEWORK.
I TOOK THE FIRST TEST AND I
PASSED IT.
I TOOK THE SECOND TEST AND I
PASSED IT.
DAVE THEN CALLED ME FOR AN
INTERVIEW.
HE EVEN OFFERED TO DRIVE ME
THERE.
I THOUGHT TO MYSELF -- PLEASE
DON'T LET ME MESSTHIS UP.
THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A
JOB.
I WAS SO PROUD WHEN I GOT THAT
JOB.
NOW I CAN TELL MY KIDS THAT THIS
IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU DO YOUR
HOMEWORK.
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
PLY KIDS SEE A DIFFERENCE IN ME.
THEY SEE THAT THEIR MOTHER IS
MAKING IT.
W-2 GAVE ME A CHANCE AND I FEEL
GOOD ABOUT MYSELF, SO THANK YOU
W-2 WORKS AND EVERYONE THAT'S
INVOLVED.
AND I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK
MY EMPLOYERS WHO ARE HERE
TONIGHT FOR BELIEVING IN ME.
AND I AM ASKING OTHERS TO TAKE A
CHANCE ON W-2 WORKERS.
WE WON'T LET YOU DOWN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MICHELLE, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MICHELLE.
SHE'S WONDERFUL.
AS SHE SAID, HER CHILDREN ARE
WITH HER TONIGHT ALONG WITH HER
CASEWORKER AND ALSO TY HAD A
YW WORKS.
I WISH THEY WOULD STAND UP.
[APPLAUSE]
JULIA TAYLOR IS DOING A
WONDERFUL JOB.
I THANK YOU, JULIE, FOR BEING
HERE AND ALL OF YOU.
KIDS, YOU ARE PRETTY PROUD OF
YOUR MOTHER, AREN'T YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
TO THE MEN AND WOMEN
PARTICIPATING IN W-2 THE MESSAGE
FROM YOUR FELLOW WORKERS IS
SIMPLE.
YOU CAN DO IT AND WE WILL HELP
YOU.
TONIGHT WE SEEK TO BUILD UPON
OUR W-2 SUCCESSES.
MY BUDGET WILL PROPOSAL LOW
KATING ANOTHER $30 MILLION TO
ASSIST THOSE ENTERING THE
WORKFORCE TO STAY THERE AND
CLIMB THE ECONOMIC LADDER.
ALL W-2 AGENCIES WOULD WORK WITH
PARTICIPANTS FOR SIX FULL MONTHS
AFTER AN INDIVIDUAL GETS A JOB.
LET'S HELP W-2 WORKERS BETTER
MEET THE CHALLENGES OF FINDING
QUALITY CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN
WHILE THEY WORK.
I PROPOSE THAT WE EXPAND
ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILD CARE
SUBSIDIES FROM 165% TO 185%
ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE, A
COMMITMENT OF $2 MILLION.
[APPLAUSE]
DROP THE ASSETS LIMITS FOR CHILD
CARE EGIBILITY PURPOSES.
PROVIDE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
FOR FAMILIES WITH DISABLED
CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13
TO 18, A $4 MILLION COMMITMENT.
REDUCE THE MAXIMUM CO-PAYMENT
FOR CHILD CARE FROM 16% TO 12%
OF A PERSON'S GROSS INCOME.
[APPLAUSE]
AND CREATE GET-WELL HAVENS FOR
SICK CHILDREN WHILE THEIR
PARENTS WORK.
A $2 MILLION INVESTMENT WILL
HELP W-2 AGENCIES DEVELOP
ALTERNATIVES FOR SICK CHILDREN
SUCH AS CHILD CARE POOLS OR
SEPARATE SICK ROOMS AT JOB
CENTERS AND DAYCARES.
CARING FOR A SICK CHILD SHOULD
NOT PUT A MOTHER'S JOB AT RISK,
AND A WORKING MOTHER SHOULD NOT
HAVE TO WORRY WHETHER HER SICK
CHILD IS GETTING QUALITY CARE.
[APPLAUSE]
IN ADDITION, WE SHOULD HELP
STEER AT-RISK CHILDREN AWAY FROM
A LIFE OF TROUBLE THROUGH NEW
PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR
COMMUNITIES, TO PROVIDE SAFER
NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOMES.
LET'S PROVIDE $150,000 FOR
ONE-TIME GRANTS TO 25
COMMUNITIES FOR THEIR OWN
INITIATIVES TO BRING FATHERS
BACK INTO THE FAMILY THROUGH OUR
FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE.
[APPLAUSE]
AND LET'S HELP NEEDY CHILDREN
FIND STABLE HOMES WITH $170,000
FOR A STATEWIDE MEDIA CAMPAIGN
TO RECRUIT MORE FOSTER FAMILIES.
[APPLAUSE]
AND LET US ENLIST THE HELP OF
FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS SUCH
AS FAITH WORKS IN MILWAUKEE, TO
HELP US COMBAT THE DEVASTATION
OF BROKEN FAMILIES BY FIGHTING
THE ILLS OF DRUG ABUSE.
AND LET'S HELP DRUG ADDICTED AND
ALCOHOLIC PARENTS BECOME CLEAN
AND SOBER THROUGH A NEW
MILLION-DOLLAR REHABILITATION
PROGRAM.
LET'S PROVIDE $20 MILLION IN
COMMUNITY YOUTH GRANTS FOR
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR
AT-RISK CHILDREN.
NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS CAN TAP INTO
THIS MONEY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE
PROGRAMS THAT KEEP CHILDREN AWAY
FROM CRIME, PROVIDE THE EXTRA
HELP WITH SCHOOL, OR PREPARE
THEM FOR THE WORKFORCE.
THE SAFE AND SOUND PROGRAM AND
THE GOOD SAMARITAN OJECT IN
MILWAUKEE SERVE AS MODELS FOR
THIS INITIATIVE.
I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME REVEREND
BISHOP WITHERSPOON AND BILL
BECKMAN FROM GOOD SAMARITAN AND
CHIEF ARTHUR JONES AND U.S.
ATTORNEY TOM SCHNEIDER FROM THE
SAFE AND SOUND PROGRAM.
YOU ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB.
I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
YOU MAKE US PROUD.
THANK YOU FOR DOING SUCH A
WONDERFUL JOB WITH AT-RISK KIDS.
WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN MAKE SURE
THAT ON WISCONSIN MEANS ON TO A
HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR
LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES.
NOW FOR WISCONSIN TO BE STRONG
IN THE 21st CENTURY, WE MUST BE
HEALTHY.
OUR CHILDREN, OUR ADULTS, AND
OUR SENIORS.
THIS BUDGET PROVIDES THE MEANS
TO GO FORWARD WITH TWO LANDMARK
PROGRAMS FOR OUR FAMILIES --
FAMILY CARE AND BADGER CARE.
FAMILY CARE WOULD SWING INTO
ACTION IN 13 PILOT COUNTIES,
GIVING SENIORS ONE PLACE TO TURN
FOR AN INDIVIDUALIZED PACKAGE OF
LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES IN ORDER
TO MEET THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS.
THESE 13 COUNTIES REPRESENT 25%
OF OUR ELDERLY AND DISABLED
POPULATION, ALLOWING US TO COVER
A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR
SENIORS AS WE GET THE PROGRAM
OFF TO A STRONG START.
WE PLAN TO EXPAND FAMILY CARE AS
AGGRESSIVELY AS POSSIBLE IN THE
COMING YEARS UNTIL IT IS
STATEWIDE.
AND WE PLAN TO HAVE BADGER CARE
IN PLACE BY JULY 1st.
WITH WAIVERS FROM WASHINGTON
FINALLY IN HAND, WE CAN PROCEED
WITH HELPING LOW-INCOME WORKING
FAMILIES BUY AFFORDABLE, QUALITY
HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH
MEDICAID.
BADGER CARE, TO ME, IS A GRAND
TESTAMENT TO THE GOOD THAT COMES
WHEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
PUT PEOPLE AHEAD OF POLITICS.
[APPLAUSE]
BECAUSE WE WORKED TOGETHER IN
THIS CHAMBER AND IN WASHINGTON,
D.C., 47,000 -- 47,000 UNINSURED
CHILDREN AND ADULTS WILL NOW
HAVE HEALTH CARE.
[APPLAUSE]
AND WE CAN COVER ANOTHER 35,000
UNINSURED WORKERS BY COMING
TOGETHER ON A SMALL EMPLOYER
HEALTH CARE POOL.
I PROPOSE INVESTING $200,000 IN
ONE-TIME SEED MONEY TO BRING
SMALL BUSINESSES TOGETHER,
POOLING THEIR RESOURCES AND
SHARING THE RISK IN ORDER TO
PROVIDE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR
WORKERS.
AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL RUN
THE HEALTH CARE POOL, NOT STATE
GOVERNMENT.
[APPLAUSE]
FOR THOSE IN H.M.O.'S WE CAN
EXPAND UPON THE LANDMARK
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS BILL THAT
WAS PASSED LAST YEAR IN OUR
PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS BY
PROVIDING A MANAGED CARE
SPECIALIST IN THE OFFICE OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE.
THIS PERSON'S SOLE JOB WILL BE
TO REVIEW THE MOST COMPLEX
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND TO WORK
ON SOLUTIONS.
PREVENTING HEALTH PROBLEMS MUST
REMAIN A PRIORITY AS WELL.
LAST YEAR MY WIFE, SUE ANN,
UNVEILED AN AMBITIOUS WOMEN'S
HEALTH INITIATIVE AND WE THANK
YOU FOR -- BOTH SHE AND I, FOR
SUPPORTING THAT ENDEAVOR.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SUE ANN
FOR HER LEADERSHIP IN STARTING
THE WOMEN'S HEALTH FOUNDATION.
SHE IS HERE TONIGHT AND I WISH
YOU WOULD WELCOME HER.
[APPLAUSE]
TONIGHT, WE SEEK TO ADD A $2
MILLION PROGRAM TO HELP PREGNANT
WOMEN DEAL WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUG
PROBLEMS, A VERY IMPORTANT
INVESTMENT.
WE ALSO SEEK TO DRAW ATTENTION
TO A DISEASE INFECTING MORE AND
MORE MEN -- PROSTATE CANCER.
MY BUDGET WILL PROVIDE $50,000
AND ASK FOR A $50,000 PRIVATE
SECTOR MATCH TO DEVELOP A
PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS AND
PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
AND A NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WILL DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR
TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER IN
WISCONSIN.
CAN'T BELIEVE NOBODY CLAPPED FOR
THAT.
[APPLAUSE]
LET'S ALSO, LET US ALSO LAUNCH A
RENEWED ASSAULT ON DIABETES WITH
A $730,000 GRANT TO MATCH A
FEDERAL GRANT OF EQUAL AMOUNT
AIMED AT IMPROVING THE QUALITY
OF LIFE FOR MORE THAN 315,000
WISCONSINITES WHO SUFFER FROM
THIS DISEASE, PARTICULARLY IN
OUR MINORITY COMMUNITIES.
AS A STATE -- [APPLAUSE]
AS A STATE WE CAN TAKE GREAT
PRIDE INEING A NATIONAL LEADER
IN ORGAN PROCUREMENT AND
TRANSPLANTS THROUGH OUR RENOWNED
WISCONSIN DONOR NETWORK AND THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
HOSPITAL.
WE CAN MAKE OUR NETWORK OF LIFE
EVEN STRONGER, HOWEVER, BY
ADDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND FILY SERVICES AN
ORGAN DONOR PROCUREMENT
COORDINATOR WHO WOULD ALSO
ENLIST MORE PEOPLE AS DONORS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE NEED
MORE ORGAN DONORS.
I ASK EVERY PERSON IN THIS
CHAMBER AND ACROSS THE STATE TO
PULL OUT YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE
AND TO SIGN IT ON THE BACK AND
PLEDGE TO BE PART OF A GENEROUS
AND A THOUGHTFUL GROUP OF LIFE
SAVING HEROES.
EACH YEAR AT A MEDAL OF LIFE
CEREMONY THAT WE STARTED HERE IN
WISCONSIN, I'M INSPIRED BY THE
PEOPLE WHO GIVE THE GIFT OF
LIFE.
CARING FAMILIES LIKE DARLENE AND
DUANE WOLDT OF MADISON.
WHEN THEIR SON DEREK DIED, FOUR
OF HIS ORGANS AND HIS EYES WERE
DONATED SO FOUR OTHERS COULD
LEAD HEALTHIER LIVES.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THOSE
HEROES BECAUSE THEY ARE
OUTSTANDING PEOPLE.
DEREK AND DARLENE WOLDT.
[APPLAUSE]
WE ARE A VERY GIVING STATE.
WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN GIVE THE
GREATEST GIFT OF ALL TO OUR
CITIZENS -- A HEALTHY LIFE.
SO, ON WISCONSIN, WITH THE
HEALTHYEST CHILDREN, FAMILIES,
AND SENIORS IN OUR COUNTRY.
A STATE READY TO CHARGE INTO THE
NEXT CENTURY MUST DO SO WITH AN
EFFICIENT AND MODERN
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
THEREFORE, I AM PROPOSING
SEVERAL NEW INITIATIVES ON
PASSENGER RAIL.
AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF AMTRAK, I
INTEND TO HELP TO LEAD THIS
OFT-TROUBLED ORGANIZATION OUT OF
THE TUNNEL OF DARKNESS AND INTO
THE LIGHT OF SUCCESS FOR THE
BENEFIT OF WISCONSIN AND THE
NATION.
TOMORROW IN CHICAGO, I WILL BE
JOINING AMTRAK AND FEDERAL
AGENCIES IN FORMALLY ANNOUNCING
THE RAILWAY'S $25 MILLION
INVESTMENT IN A NEW MIDWEST RAIL
INITIATIVE AIMED AT BRINGING NEW
HIGH-SPEED RAIL TECHNOLOGY TO
THIS REGION.
[APPLAUSE]
THE MIDWEST RAIL INITIATIVE
WOULD CARRY PEOPLE BETWEEN NINE
STATES ON 3,000 MILES OF TRACK
AT OVER 110 MILES AN HOUR.
IT WILL TRAVEL TO NEARLY 70
DIFFERENT METROPOLITAN AREAS AND
11 URBAN CENTERS, INCLUDING A
LINE THAT WILL CONNECT MILWAUKEE
AND MADISON TO CHICAGO AND
MINNEAPOLIS.
[APPLAUSE]
IMAGINTHE JOY IN ILLINOIS WHEN
THEY FIND OUT THAT THEY CAN
ESCAPE TO WISCONSIN AT 1/SEVENTH
THE SPEED OF SOUND!
[LAUGHTER]
AND IF WE WANT TO TRAVEL TO
SOLDIER FIELD TO WATCH THE
PACKERS BEAT UP ON THE HAPLESS
BEARS, WE CAN DO IT AND WE WON'T
HAVE TO PAY THEIR TOLLS.
[APPLAUSE]
AND THE BEST PART IS THAT THE
MIDWEST RAIL INITIATIVE WOULD BE
FUNDED LARGELY BY FEDERAL
DOLLARS, WITH MINIMAL INVESTMENT
BY THE STATES.
TOMORROW'S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL
INCLUDE A COMMITMENT OF MORE
THAN $2 MILLION FROM AMTRAK TO
START PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING ON
A HIGH-SPEED ROUTE BETWEEN
MILWAUKEE AND MADISON AS WELL AS
A $200,000 GRANT BY THE FEDERAL
RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION TO STUDY
THE EQUIPMENT NEEDS FOR THE
MIDWEST RAIL INITIATIVE.
AND WE'RE DIRECTING $500,000 IN
FEDERAL MONEY TO IMPROVE THE
RAILROAD CROSSINGS ON THE
HIAWATHA LINE BETWEEN MILWAUKEE
AND CHICAGO.
IN ADDITION, I'M ASKING
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY CHUCK
THOMPSON TO FIND $1 MILLION TO
MATCH AMTRAK'S MONEY SO WE CAN
ALSO EXAMINE POSSIBLE LOCATIONS
IN MADISON FOR A STATION ON THE
EAST SIDE, CONNECTING TO THE
AIRPORT AND CONTINUING TO
MINNEAPOLIS.
[APPLAUSE]
BUT YOU DO NOTAVE TO WAIT
UNTIL TOMORROW FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS
PROJECT IN MORE DETAIL.
GEORGE WARRINGTON, THE NEW
PRESIDENT OF AMTRAK, IS HERE
WITH US TONIGHT.
I'M THE CHAIRMAN AND I ASKED HIM
TO COME.
GUESS WHAT, HE DID COME.
GEORGE WARRINGTON UP THERE?
[APPLAUSE]
STAND UP, GEORGE.
AND HE WILL BE DOWN IN THE
GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM AFTER
THE SPEECH.
YOU ARE ALL INVITED.
IN FACT, GEORGE AND I WILL BE
RECRUITING ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER, AND YES,
EVEN ONE REPORTER, TO ACCOMPANY
US ON THE INAUGURAL RUN OF
AMTRAK'S NEW HIGH-SPEED
TRAINSETS THIS FALL IN THE
NORTHEAST CORRIDOR.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE
FIRST-HAND ITS AMAZING POTENTIAL
FOR REDUCING CONGESTION ON OUR
HIGHWAYS, SHIPPING FREIGHT, AND
PROVIDING PEOPLE A MORE
EFFICIENT WAY TO TRAVEL.
BE ABLE TO GO FROM NEW YORK TO
WASHINGTON, D.C. IN ABOUT 2 1/2
HOURS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, TOO BORROW A
PHRASE FROM A COMMERCIAL, THESE
ARE NOT YOUR FATHER'S TRAINS.
SO, ALL ABOARD.
ON WISCONSIN, TO THE
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OF THE
FUTURE.
[APPLAUSE]
PIONEERS ARE EVERYWHERE AROUND
US.
THEY ARE THE YOUNG AND THE OLD,
MEN AND WOMEN.
THEY ARE THE FACES OF ALL RACES
AND RELIGIONS THAT CALL
WISCONSIN HOME.
AND THEIR DEEDS WHETHER GRAND OR
COMMONPLACE ARE ALL SIGNIFICANT.
AS WE CLOSE TONIGHT, LET US
HONOR SOME OF THE BOLD PIONEERS
WHO ARE LEADING WISCONSIN INTO
THE NEXT MILLENNIUM.
PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL
I INTRODUCE ALL OF THEM.
THE FIRST ONE IS BRUCE BORDEN
WHO ENCOURAGED US TO DEVELOP
PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE, A
BREAKTHROUGH PROGRAM ALLOWING
THE DISABLED TO WORK WITHOUT
LOSING THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS.
HE ALSO INITIATED WITH OUR HELP
STARTING A RECYCLING OF
WHEELCHAIRS GIVING USED
WHEELCHAIRS TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO
COULD USE THEM.
NOW BRUCE IS WORKING WITH FANNIE
MAE ON A NEW PROGRAM TO PROVIDE
LOW-INCOME HOUSING FOR THE
DISABLED.
BROTHER BOB SMITH AND HOWARD
FULLER.
PLEASE STAND UP, BOB.
TWO MEN WHO REFUSED TO ACCEPT
THE NOTION THAT POOR CHILDREN IN
MILWAUKEE'S WORST NEIGHBORHOODS
WERE INCAPABLE OF LEARNING AND
SUCCEEDING IN LIFE.
THEY PUSHED FOR BOLD CHANGES IN
OUR SCHOOLS, FROM CHARTERS TO
CHOICE, SO ALL CHILDREN WOULD
GET A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION.
JAMES THOMSON, WHOSE
GROUNDBREAKING DEVELOPMENTS IN
STEM CELL RESEARCH AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IS
HELPING TO COMBAT PARKINSON'S
DISEASE AND TRYING TO FIND THE
CURE FOR ALZHEIMER'S AS WELL AS
CHILDHOOD DIABETES AND WILL ONE
DAY BE ABLE TO GROW HUMAN ORGANS
FOR TRANSPLANTS.
JERRY FRAUTSCHI WHO IS USING HIS
SUCCESS TO GIVE BACK TO HIS
COMMUNITY WITH A $50 MILLION
DONATION TO CREATE A CULTURAL
ARTS DISTRICT IN MADISON, A GIFT
THAT WILL INSPIRE CHILDREN AND
ENHANCE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE FOR
GENERATIONS TO COME.
PLEASANT ROWLAND-FRAUTSCHI, THE
TOP WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR IN THE
COUNTRY IS BLAZING NEW TRAILS
FOR WOMEN IN CORPORATE AMERICA.
UNFORTUNATELY, PLEASANT COULDN'T
BE HERE TONIGHT.
KEITH HOLZBERGER WHO WITH HIS
BUSINESS PARTNER, DEB RADDER,
ARE GIVING FORMER WELFARE
MOTHERS A CHANCE TO REAP THE
REWARDS OF WORK, SHOWING OTHER
COMPANIES THAT INVESTING IN
THESE WORKERS IS SMART BUSINESS.
AND JERRY HAMILTON OF RACINE,
WHO IS CREATING STRONGER
WISCONSIN FAMILIES BY TURNING
FATHERS INTO DADS.
JERRY'S FATHERHOOD INITIATIVES,
CHILDREN UP FRONT, IS
RECONNECTING FAMILIES, STRENGTH
STRENGTHENING FAMILY RELATIONS
AND PROMOTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
THESE ARE THE PIONEERS, THE
HEROES OF TODAY.
LET'S GIVE THEM A BIG ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
WISCONSIN PIONEERS ARE JUST
EVERYDAY PEOPLE DOING
SPECTACULAR THINGS SO WE CAN ALL
LIVE BETTER LIVES.
AND WE APPLAUD YOU AND THANK
YOU.
THEY ARE THE W-2 MOTHERS IN
MILWAUKEE WHO ARE WORKING AND
RAISING THEIR CHILDREN, THE
ENTREPRENEURS IN THE CHIPPEWA
VALLEY DEVELOPING NEW TECHNOLOGY
FOR A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE,
THE STUDENTS IN SUSSEX LEARNING
SKILLS FOR THE JOBS OF TOMORROW,
AND THE FARMERS IN JANESVILLE
APPLYING SPACE AGE TECHNOLOGY TO
FEED THE WORLD.
THEY ARE BUILDING THE AMERICA OF
THE 21st CENTURY, MOLDING IT IN
THE SHAPE OF WISCONSIN.
AT THE DAWN OF ANOTHER GLORIOUS
CENTURY, THE GATES TO THE
FRONTIERS OF POSSIBILITY STAND
WIDE OPEN.
TONIGHT, LET US ONCE AGAIN
PROUDLY RAISE OUR COLORS AS OUR
FOREFATHERS DID AND CHARGE
FORWARD TOGETHER WITH THE
IMPASSIONED CRY OF ON WISCONSIN!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND
GOD BLESS.
[APPLAUSE]
[PLAYING "ON WISCONSIN"]
>> GOVERNOR TOMMY THOMPSON
COMPLETING HIS 13TH STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS TO THE REFRAIN OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
MARCHING BAND.
TWICE AS MANY STATE OF THE STATE
ADDRESSES AS ANY OTHER GOVERNOR.
QUICK OBSERVATIONS FROM JOHN
NICHOLS OF "THE CAPITAL TIMES"
AND BILL KRAUS.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY
GOOD SPEECH.
IT HAD A LOT OF INITIATIVES.
IN "THE CAPITAL TIMES" WE WERE
COMPLIMENTARY OF BILL CLINTON'S
SPEECH FOR SAYING THAT
GOVERNMENT CAN DO A LOT.
IN EFFECT TOMMY THOMPSON GOT UP
TONIGHT AND SAID GOVERNMENT CAN
STILL DO A LOT.
>> BILL KRAUS, THIS WAS A SPEECH
IN WHICH MANY DEMOCRATS I WOULD
THINK WOULD APPLAUD.
YOU SUGGESTED BEFOREHAND HE WAS
A LAME DUCK.
THIS WAS NOT A LAME DUCK SPEECH
AND IT WAS A SPEECH MANY
PROGRESSIVES WOULD HAVE TO
APPRECIATE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YOU WANT TO KNOW PEOPLE WHO LIKE
CLINTON LIKE TOMMY, THEY RUN THE
PLACE WELL.
YOU HAVE SOMETHING HALF WORKING,
THEY MAKE IT WORK BETTER.
IT WAS A VERY GOOD SPEECH.
>> JOHN, A MEMORABLE MOMENT?
>> MICHELLE CRAWFORD'S SPEECH.
THE WOMAN WHO CAME THROUGH W-2.
SHE WAS VERY ARTICULATE AND
EFFECTIVE.
I THOUGHT IT WAS MAKING A POINT
WHEN THE GOVERNOR CAME UP AND
RECOGNIZED HER CHILDREN.
IT WAS A NICE PART.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HEAR NEXT FROM
THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER,
CHUCK CHVALA WILL JOIN US IN A
MOMENT AS WE LOOK BACK IN NOW ON
THE STATE CAPITOL ASSEMBLY
CHAMBERS WHERE THE UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN MARCHING BAND, THE
TUBA SECTION, HAS FINISHED
PLAYING A VERSION OF "ON
WISCONSIN" AND PROBABLY THE BUD
SONG AS WELL.
TOMMY THOMPSON SPOKE FOR A
LITTLE MORE THAN ONE HOUR THIS
EVENING AS HE TALKED ABOUT A
VARIETY OF INITIATIVES, AND NOW
WE'RE GOING TO GET THE COMMENTS
AND REACTION OF THE MAJORITY
LEADER OF THE STATE SENATE,
CHUCK CHVALA WHO JOINS US NOW.
SENATOR CHVALA, WE SAID AS THE
SPEECH CONCLUDED JOHN NICHOLS
AND BILL KRAUS SAID THERE WERE
MANY THINGS ABOUT THIS THAT I
WOULD THINK A DEMOCRAT WOULD
LIKE.
HE TALKED ABOUT INCREASED
FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD,
MONEY FOR ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE
FOR W-2, INCREASED HEALTH CARE
REFORM.
A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES THAT
WERE A DEMOCRAT GIVING THAT
SPEECH I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD
HAVE BEEN PLEASED.
>> AND YOU MISSED THE $4 MILLION
FOR ADULT LITERACY, TOO.
HE SOUNDED VERY MUCH LIKE A
DEMOCRAT AND I HAVE TO ADMIT I
LED THE APPLAUSE A COUPLE TIMES.
THE GOVERNOR AND I TALKED AND HE
SAID HE THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE THE
SPEECH.
I DID.
THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS BUT
WE THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD
THINGS THERE.
I THINK HIS FOCUS AND EMPHASIS
TALKING ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD
DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEED FOR
CHILD CARE IS SOMETHING WE
TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.
BUT I'M PLEASED TO SEE THE
GOVERNOR SUPPORT IT.
>> YOU MENTIONED THE DEVIL IS IN
THE DETAILS.
THIS IS THOUGHT TO BE A TIGHT
BUDGET.
WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MONEY
WILL COME FROM IN ORDER TO FUND
SOME OF THIS.
>> IT DOESN'T LOOK AS TIGHT
AFTER TONIGHT.
I ALWAYS SAID WE ARE GOING
THROUGH THE BIENNIAL PROCESS OF
LOWERING EXPECTATIONS THOUGH
TONIGHT I THINK THE GOVERNOR LET
THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG THAT
THERE ARE GOOD THINGS THAT CAN
BE DONE.
THERE ARE DOLLARS IF YOU SET
PRIORITIES CORRECTLY.
THERE IS THAT ELEMENT.
THE SECOND THING IS THE GOVERNOR
DID TELL ME I WOULD ENJOY
TONIGHT'S ADDRESS MORE THAN I
WOULD HIS BUDGET ADDRESS.
I ASSUME TONIGHT WAS THE GAIN,
NEXT WEEK IS THE PAIN.
>> THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS IN
THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
THAT BECOME LAW AND THINGS THAT
DON'T.
A YEAR AGO THE GOVERNOR OFFERED
A PLAN FOR A TAX CREDIT IF YOU
SENT A CHILD TO THE UNIVERSITY
OF WISCONSIN THAT DID BECOME
LAW.
HE SUGGESTED A TAKEOVER OF THE
MILWAUKEE SCHOOLS MIGHT BECOME
NECESSARY IF THEY DIDN'T
IMPROVE.
THE LEGISLATURE REJECTED THAT.
AS YOU LOOK AT THE INITIATIVES
HE PROPOSED TONIGHT, WHICH DO
YOU THINK ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO
MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH BOTH
HOUSES?
>> I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON
THE HEAD WITH A COUPLE.
I THINK THE CHILD CARE
INITIATIVES AND W-2 AND I THINK
THAT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD
NIFTIVES HE HAS ARE VERY
APPEALING.
AND I THINK THEY SHOULD DRAW
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
THE ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM
SHOULD.
THOSE ARE THINGS I THINK WILL
HAPPEN.
SOME OF THE OTHER INITIATIVES I
THINK THERE MAY BE SOME QUESTION
ABOUT.
BUT THE THING I LIKED IS THAT
MANY OF THE THINGS HE SAID TALK
ABOUT GOING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE A LITTLE
DISAGREEMENT ABOUT HOW WE HANDLE
A SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH
INSURANCE POOL BUT WE BOTH WANT
TO PROVIDE MORE HEALTH INSURANCE
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND GIVE
THE BUSINESSES A DECENT PRICE.
SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT TO
AGREE ON.
>> IS IT POSSIBLE TO FUND ALL OF
THESE INITIATIVES AND STILL HAVE
A TAX CUT?
>> WELL, IT'S POSSIBLE, BUT YOU
MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT THE
DEMOCRATS WEREN'T SO WILDLY
APPLAUDING THE TAX CUT THOROUGH
THE GOVERNOR DID NOT SAY WHAT
TYPE OF TAX CUT WE'D HAVE.
I THINK WE RECOGNIZE THAT THESE
ARE GOING TO BE TOUGH
CHALLENGES.
I EXPECT THERE WILL BE A TAX CUT
BUT DEMOCRATS WILL LOOK FOR
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, NOT INCOME
TAX.
>> THE STATE OF THE STATE IS
ALWAYS AN ADDRESS WHERE MORE
EMPHASIS IS ON INITIATIVES, IS
ON WHAT'S POSITIVE.
WHAT ISN'T SO -- IS THERE
ANYTHING, I GUESS, THAT ISN'T
POSITIVE RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN?
IS THERE A PROBLEM THAT WASN'T
ADDRESSED THAT YOU THINK NEEDS
TO BE ATTENDED TO?
>> I THINK THAT THE WHOLE -- THE
GOVERNOR TOUCHED ON REDUCING
CLASS SIZE.
BUT WE THINK THAT HAS TO BE
STATEWIDE AND HAS TO REACH EVERY
SCHOOL IN THE STATE AND EVERY
CHILD IN THIS STATE.
AND RIGHT NOW THE GOVERNOR ISN'T
TALKING ABOUT THAT KIND OF AN
EXPANSION.
BUT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THE
GOVERNOR TOUCHED ON A LOT OF THE
THEMES.
IT'S A MATTER OF WHAT -- HOW
MUCH WE'RE WILLING TO COMMIT
BEHIND IT IN TERMS OF RESOURCES.
>> IN A MOMENT YOU WILL HOLD A
PRESS CONFERENCE WITH
REPRESENTATIVE SHIRLEY KRUG, THE
ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC LEADER.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY
BESIDES SWELL SPEECH?
>> I THINK THERE ARE SOME THINGS
WE WANT TO TOUCH ON.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE CAN BE MORE
DONE IN THE HEALTH CARE AREA.
I THINK PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT THE POWER OF H.M.O.'S AND
WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE ARE
GETTING TO MAKE A DECISION ON
HEALTH CARE WITH THEIR DOCTOR.
THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO
THERE.
I DON'T THINK THAT AN OMBUDSMAN
AT THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND
IT WASN'T SO TERMED IS AN
ADEQUATE RESPONSE.
WE THINK PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
VERSUS INCOME TAX CUTS, MORE
EMPHASIS ON K-3 REDUCING CLASS
SIZE, BUT WE ALSO THINK THAT THE
ENVIRONMENT NEEDS MORE MONEY
THAN FOR STEWARDSHIP.
>> BUT IN THE END YOU WOULD GIVE
THIS SPEECH SOUNDS LIKE A PRETTY
GOOD GRADE.
>> I WOULD GIVE IT A STRONG
B-PLUS.
>> AND A SPEECH MORE ABOUT WHAT
GOVERNMENT CAN DO THAN WHAT IT
CANNOT.
>> TRUE.
I THINK YOU HEARD MORE APPLAUSE
ALMOST FROM DEMOCRATS THAN FROM
REPUBLICANS.
>> CHUCK CHVALA, THE SENATE
MAJORITY LEADER, THANKS FOR
JOINING US.
>> THANKS, DAVE.
THAT CONCLUDES WISCONSIN
PUBLIC TELEVISION'S COVERAGE OF
THE ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S STATE OF
THE STATE ADDRESS.
I'M DAVE IVERSON REPORTING LIVE
FROM THE STATE CAPITOL IN
MADISON.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.
- Realtime Captioning by - WISCONSIN CAPTIONING COMPANY Ph. 920-451-7822 TTY 920-451-1892